Law career fairs at South African universities provide crucial, direct links between LLB students and law firms. These in-person events often bridge the gap between theory and the practical requirements of the local legal sector, supporting workplace readiness and networking.
Prominent universities and private higher education institutions regularly host career or job fairs to ensure their law students are adequately prepared for the job market.
This blog will discuss the key benefits of law career fairs, opportunities, and direct you toward upcoming events in your area.
Main benefits for law students
- Direct engagement with top employers: Students can interact one-on-one with leading law firms (for example, ENS, Lawtons Africa, Couzyn, Hertzog & Horak), NGOs, and government bodies.
- Networking and opportunities: These events help students build a professional network, find vacation work, an internship, or secure articles of clerkship (practical vocational training contracts).
- Free career guidance: Students gain insights into specialisation areas, the ever-evolving legal landscape, and the skills needed for the future of work. This includes advice on alternative careers for LLB graduates.
- Recruitment opportunities: Many law firms and companies use these events to find talent and identify promising aspiring candidate attorneys.
- Practice CV and interview skills: Some fairs offer workshops for compiling a professional CV that stands out and mastering interview techniques to make a lasting impression on interviewers.
Benefits for law firms, recruiters, and other training institutions
- Talent scouting: Employers can meet high-quality candidates directly, speeding up the process of finding potential trainees.
- Boosting brand awareness: Law firms can showcase their workplace culture, encouraging high-achieving students to apply.
- Bridging the gap: These fairs allow firms to influence the development of the next generation of legal practitioners, ensuring they have the skills needed to thrive in the industry.
Key offerings and opportunities
- Networking: The principal benefit is direct interaction with legal professionals, industry representatives, and future employers.
- Diverse career paths: Information on various sectors, including litigation, corporate law, public interest law, and non-traditional legal careers, is explored and showcased.
- Professional dress code and prep: Students are encouraged to attend in formal wear, often gaining access to professional headshot photo booths that may elevate their LinkedIn profiles.
Meet the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law at a career fair
Gawie le Roux representatives routinely attend the University of Pretoria and Emeris’ career fairs. Contact us to find out where we will be next to talk about practical vocational training (PVT) or law school, and the road to admission.
Upcoming career fairs
Career fairs and expos are largely held from February to May every year. These fairs and events are yet to take place:
- 6 May 2026: North-West University (NWU) (Potchefstroom) In-Person Career Fair
- 13 May 2026: UP Women in Law’s Legal Expo
- 7-11 September 2026: Wits Work Readiness Week
- 8 September 2026: Unisa Career Talk: Practical Vocational Training programme at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law
Helpful resources
What can you do with a BA law degree?
Importance of choosing ethical and legitimate legal training providers
What is the Society of Legal Excellence?
How to break out of your shell as a young legal practitioner
How to apply for early admission as an attorney in South Africa
Tips to secure articles of clerkship
How to secure legal articles in a saturated career field
Last updated on 21 April 2026.